Heavy Lift airborne transport device

ABSTRACT

A heavy lift airborne transport device is disclosed, which is capable of transporting people and goods from one location to another. The device includes a circular shaped body. A uniquely designed propeller is mounted on the top of the body. The propeller blades produce a low pressure region above the device. The difference between the air pressure on the bottom and the top of the device&#39;s body provides the uplift force for holding the device in the air. The device is capable of vertical takeoff and landing. A horizontally mounted propeller located at the back region of the device&#39;s body slightly lifts up the backside of the body, facilitating the forward movement for the device. A land and sea landing version of the device is disclosed as well.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to airborne devices and more particularly to heavy lift airborne transport devices, fit to short and medium range distance aerial transport. Conventional heavy lift airborne transport devices, such as airplanes, helicopters, airships are well known. However these conventional Heavy lift airborne transport devices are not entirely satisfactory for a variety of reasons. Conventional airplanes need a long runway for takeoff and landing. Because of the required large area of land and open space most airports are located outside of cities making airplanes unfit for urban transport.

Conventional helicopters have a limited load lifting capacity. The thin rotor blades can break off causing the helicopter to fall.

Vertically take off airplanes and airships are very sensitive to weather conditions and wind shifts and have a limited load lifting capacity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved heavy lift airborne transport device which is capable of vertical takeoff and landing.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved heavy lift airborne transport device which is capable of lifting heavy loads.

Still another objective of the present invention provides a new and improved heavy lift airborne transport device capable of short distance and medium distance operation.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved heavy lift airborne transportation device which is suitable for urban and intercity transportation.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved heavy lift airborne transport device which is capable of carrying travelers from one location to another.

An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved heavy lift airborne transport device which is able to carry goods from one location to another.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved heavy lift airborne transport device which is capable of sea landing. It provides a service and rescue operational device.

In accordance with the present invention, these and other objectives are obtained by providing a heavy lift airborne transport device which operates by a new aerodynamic principle. It produces a low pressure area above the said heavy lift airborne transport device by pushing aside the air located above the said device, producing a large uplift force on the said device.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention these and other objects are obtained by providing a heavy lift airborne transport device which includes a substantial circular body. At the center of the said body, a vertical rotation shaft is adapted. Connected to the top of said shaft are numerous specially designed propeller blades extending outward radially. The said blades have a U shaped vertical section with the open side located in the direction of turning. The shape of the said blade gradually changes outwardly to a vertically inclined surface with its forward upper region facing in the direction of the turning. The outer design of the said blades is curved backward to the direction of turning. The said blades are mounted quite close to the top surface of the said body. By rotating the said shaft the blades collect the air above the said body and push the air sideways, providing a low pressure area above the said body. Horizontally mounted propellers are attached on the left and right side of the said body, relative to the direction of forward movement. On the back part of the said body two horizontal propellers and one vertical propeller are mounted. There are numerous outwardly mounted vertically inclined plates mounted on the side of the said body whose function is to counter balance the turning of the said body produced by the rotation of the propeller located on top of the said body.

At least three wheels are mounted at the bottom of the said body in order to drive the said device on land.

Inside, in the center of the said body, is located the machinery operating the said device. These include fuel tank, electric generator, and a rotating engine and other related equipment. Around the center, seats for passengers are provided. The pilot's cabin is located in the front. Windows and doors are adapted around the said body.

The heavy lift airborne transport device moves forward while the propellers on the top of the said body are rotating and while the propellers located at the back slightly lift up the back part of the said body.

The horizontally mounted propellers on the side of the body of the heavy lift airborne transport device help in turning the device by slightly lifting up the radially outer side of the device, and help to balance the device in the case of wind blow from the side.

The heavy lift airborne transport device can be built in various dimensions:

as a small remote controlled, unmanned device used mostly for aerial photography with a 1.00 meter diameter.

as a medium size device made for transport of people and goods having a diameter of about 10.0 meters.

as a large size device with approximately a 20.0 meter diameter.

In accordance with the present invention, in addition to the land landing device a sea-land landing version of the heavy lift airborne transport device is developed. The said device is fit to sea related activity and sea rescue operation. The body of the said device is higher than the only land landing version. The engine room and fuel tank are located at the bottom of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference of the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the heavy lift airborne transport device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the heavy lift airborne transport device.

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the internal arrangement of the heavy lift airborne transport device.

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the oppositely located propeller blades relative to the top portion of the body of the heavy lift airborne transport device.

FIG. 4a is a section view of the said propeller blade taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 4 illustrating the shape of the said propeller blade.

FIG. 4b is a section view of the said propeller blade taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 4 illustrating the shape of the said propeller blade

FIG. 4c is a section view of the said propeller blade taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 illustrating the shape of the said propeller blade.

FIG. 4d is a section view taken along line 6-6 of the said propeller blade and the rotation balancing plate members mounted on the body of the heavy lift airborne transport device, illustrating the air flow near to the edge of the propeller blade.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the sea and land landing version of the heavy lift airborne transport device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 showing the access step assembly to the sea-land variation of the heavy lift airborne transport device in distract mode.

FIG. 6a is a partial section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 showing the said access step assembly in an extended mode for facilitating land landing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views: Particularly to FIG. 1 of the heavy lift airborne transport device of the present invention is generally designated 10 during use in connection with flying operation.

According to the present invention, the heavy lift airborne transport device 10 includes a substantial circular body 20. Above the upper portion thereof are located several uniquely designed propeller blades 30, which rotate around a central axis 31 in the direction marked by arrow 40. The pilot's cabin 42 is located on the front of the said body 20. Two propeller assemblies designated 34 and 35, diametrically opposite to each other, substantially outward in a horizontal direction are attached on the median region on both sides of the said body 20. The said propeller assemblies 34 and 35 include a horizontally attached wing 38 into which a horizontally rotating propeller 39 is adapted.

On the back side of the said body a horizontally mounted outwardly extended propeller assembly 36 is attached, into which two horizontally rotating propellers are mounted.

A vertical propeller assembly designated 37 is mounted under or above of the said horizontal propeller assembly 36, depending upon the particular application.

The pilot's cabin 42 and the back side propeller assembly designated 36 and 37 are designed in such a manner that they balance each other. The center of gravity of the device 10 remains at the center of device 10.

Along the perimeter on the upper portion of said body radially extended torque balancing plate members are installed in an inclined direction. Some of the said plate members are steadily mounted 32, and other plate members designated 33 are pivotally mounted, capable of turning around a horizontal axis.

The pivotally mounted torque balancing plates 33 are facilitating, fine tuning to balance the rotation of the device 10 resulted from the operation of the propeller blades 30.

The particular shape of the propeller blades 30 according to the present invention can be seen in more details on FIG. 2 and FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 2 the heavy lift airborne transport device according to the present invention is shown in some additional details. Namely the top surface designated 21 of the said body 20 has a substantially curved configuration which is following closely the shape of the lower region of the said propeller blades designated 22. On the lower part of the body 20, in a circumferential direction, windows 43 are provided. At least one or more doors 44 are installed included steps 45 leading to the doors.

At the bottom part of the said body 20 at least three wheels are mounted, preferably two front wheel assemblies designated 46 and one back wheel assembly 47.

The engine assembly designated 49 shown on FIG. 3 produces the torque moment which is transferred by the central axis 31 to the propeller blades 30. They turn the said blades in the direction marked by arrow 40 shown on FIG. 1. The uniquely designed propeller blades according the present invention collect the air above the roof of the heavy lift airborne transport device. They lead the collected air sideways along the curved shape of the propeller blade. This creates a low pressure region above the top surface designated 21.

The difference in the air pressure between the top surface 21 and the floor 52 of the device produces a large uplift force which holds the device in the air.

The propeller assembly designated 36 and 37 help navigate the device 10. The propeller assemblies designated 34 and 35 help balance the device 10 during turning or blowing wind.

The heavy lift airborne transport device moves forward, marked by arrow 41, after liftoff by slightly lifting up the back region of the device 10, by activating the propeller assembly designated 36. This causes a backward inclination in the device. In this manner the rotating propeller blades 30 produce an inclined air flow pushing the heavy lift airborne transport device upward and forward.

FIG. 3 illustrates the internal arrangements of the heavy lift airborne transport device according to the present invention. The pilot's cabin 42 is located at the front of the device. It provides a wide angle view for the pilot. Seats 54 can be mounted on the floor 52. The top surface 21 is supported by a roof structure designated 53. The engine room 56 is surrounded by a wall structure connecting the roof structure 53 with the floor 52 resulting in a physically strong framework for the device. The fuel tank 50, the engine assembly 49 and an electric generator 58, should preferably be located at the center of the device.

Referring to FIG. 4 in the preferred embodiment, the propeller blade 30 is shown in more detail. The bottom side of the propeller blades designated 22 follows the shape of the top surface 21. Keeping only a narrow space between surface 21 and the bottom side of the propeller blades 22, the top side of the propeller blades 100 is preferably straight and should be perpendicular to central axis 31.

In the horizontal direction the propeller blades 30 curve backwards to the direction of the rotation 40 as it shown on FIG. 1, causing an air flow from the central connection of the propeller blades 103 outward. This produces a low air pressure area above the top surface 21. The arrow 104 shows the direction of air flow.

FIG. 4a shows the shape of the propeller blade 30 near to the central connection of the propeller blade 30. The shape of the propeller blade changes gradually in the outward direction, as shown in FIG. 4 b, reaching an inclined shape, as shown in FIG. 4 c.

FIG. 4d illustrates the principle of air flow directed from the propeller blades 30 near to the edge 102 in the direction of the torque balancing plates 32. In addition to eliminating the torque, they direct the airflow downward as shown by arrow 105 and 106, producing additional uplift force for the heavy lift airborne transport device.

FIG. 5 illustrates a version of the heavy lift airborne transport device capable of both sea and land landing. The body 20 extends downward, providing a floating capability to the device 10. The water level is illustrated by mark 114.

A backward extending pivotally mounted wing, 130 is provided at the lower back region of the body 20. It can turn left and right around a vertical axis providing a steering capability for the device 10 in water.

At least one seagoing propeller 131 is mounted on the said body 10 in the region of the wing 130. This creates thrust for the device 10 for maneuvering in water.

Referring to FIG. 6, under the floor 52 below the door 44, a slot 117 provides storage for the access step assembly 112. The said step assembly is pushed outward and pulled inward by a hydraulic jack 116 mounted in the back part of the said slot.

The access step assembly 112 is built from two outwardly extended road members 118, one on each side of the step assembly. The said road members are connected by steps 122. On the front part of the said road members a cover plate 124 is provided in order to close the slot 117 when the access step assembly is pulled back. For smooth operation of the access step assembly a roller 121 is mounted in the forward part of the slot 117 with numerous rollers 120 mounted on the road members 118.

FIG. 6a shows the access step assembly, facilitating a land landing. The hydraulic jack 116 is shown in extended position pushing the access step assembly outward.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood, that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Heavy lift airborne transport device comprising: a substantially circular body including a lower surface, an upper surface and a wall member surrounding the perimeter of the said surfaces; a rotating shaft is adapted to the center of the said body and extends above the upper region of the said body; at least two propeller blades are fixed to the upper region of the rotating shaft wherein the said propeller blades have an outwardly gradually inclined configuration backward to the direction of rotation; means for applying a torque to said rotating shaft.
 2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the lower region of the said propeller blade follows the shape of the upper surface region of the said body.
 3. A device as recited in claim 2 wherein the said propeller blade has a U shaped configuration with the open side located in the direction of turning at the central region of the said propeller blade. It gradually changes outwardly to a vertically inclined shape wherein the forward upper region of the said blade is in the direction of the turning.
 4. A device as recited in claim 3 wherein radially extended horizontally aligned propellers are mounted diametrically opposite to the side of this said body.
 5. A device as recited in claim 4 wherein in the backward region of the said body radially extended horizontally aligned propeller or propellers are mounted.
 6. A device as recited in claim 5 wherein in the backward region of the said body a radially extended vertically aligned propeller is mounted.
 7. A device as recited in claim 6 wherein a pilot's cabin is located in the front of the said body.
 8. A device as recited in claim 7 wherein at the bottom of the said body at least three wheels are provided.
 9. A device as recited in claim 8 wherein on the said body doors and windows are provided.
 10. A device as recited in claim 9 wherein to the said wall member radially extended vertically or in an inclined direction, plate members are mounted. Some of the said plate members are mounted steadily. Others are pivotally mounted, capable of turning on a horizontal axis.
 11. A device as recited in claim 7 wherein the vertical section of the top region of the said body has an elliptic configuration.
 12. A device as recited in claim 7 wherein the top region of the said body has a conical configuration.
 13. A device as recited in claim 4 wherein the said propeller is mounted into a radially extended horizontally aligned wing which is mounted on the said body.
 14. A device as recited in claim 5 wherein the said propeller is mounted into a radially extended horizontally aligned wing which is mounted on the said body.
 15. A device as recited in claim 6 wherein the said propeller is mounted into a radially extended vertically aligned wing which is mounted on the said body.
 16. A device as recited in claim 7 wherein the pilot's cabin extends forward from the said body.
 17. A device as recited in claim 7 wherein the lower region of the said body is extended downward, providing a floating capability for the said device.
 18. A device as recited in claim 17 wherein in the substantially lower region of the said body a vertically mounted wing is attached in the backward direction, capable of turning around a vertical axis.
 19. A device as recited in claim 18 wherein in the substantially lower region of the said body at least one vertically aligned seagoing propeller is mounted in the backward direction.
 20. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the said lower surface and upper surface of the said body have a polygonal or square configuration. 